BRITISH Blues led the way at Dingwall and Highland Marts' Christmas show and sale of 64 prime cattle securing both the champion and reserve honours.

Supreme was a 20-month-old heifer from WA Fettes, Braes of Enzie, Buckie, which scaled 675kg and sold for the top price of 300p per kg or £2025, to JM Munro Butchers, Dingwall.

The junior champion picked up the reserve overall. This was a 19-month-old home-bred heifer from J and J Henderson, Udale, Poyntzfield, that passed the weighbridge at 695kg and made 235.0p or £1633.25, to W and J Cameron, Burnside of Edingight, Keith.

Cattle from J and B McCallum, Mountrich, Dingwall, picked up the runner up sash amongst the seniors and juniors, with a 20-month-old 710kg Charolais taking the former. It later sold for 230.0p or £1633. The reserve junior, an 18-month-old 565kg Limousin, made 300.0p or £1695.00.

Overall, 17 prime bullocks averaged 215.9p (+5.9p on the week) having sold to 260.0p per kg for a 555kg Limousin cross from Invercharron, Ardgay selling to Messrs Fraser Brothers, Butchers, Dingwall and £1617.00 for a 700kg Limousin cross from Woodend, Killearnan.

Prime heifers (47) averaged 224.7p (+7.2p) peaking at 300.0p per kg and £2025 for the champion and £2025.00 for a 675kg British Blue cross from Braes of Enzie, Buckie selling to JM Munro Butchers.

Conon Brae Farms, Torgorm, Conon Bridge, took the top two awards at the mart's Christmas show and sale of 1172 prime sheep. Their champion pen of three which first won the continental section, were Charollais crosses that scaled 45kg and made £120 per head or 266.7p per kg to Fraser Brothers, Butchers, Dingwall.

The first prize pen of three Suffolks picked up the blue and white sash for Conon Brae. They later sold for £88 or 187.2p per kg.

By the end of the day, 952 lambs averaged 166.4p (+4.8p) with the SQQ for 602 head cashing in at 170.7p (+6.8p).

Feeding sheep (220) hit a top of £97 for Suffolk cross ewes from Rhevackin Farm, Kiltarlity.

OTHERLEADING awards

Cattle – Heifer pair – 1, J and B McCallum 216.0p and 213.0p; 2, Castlecraig Farms, Nigg 219.0p and 219.0p.

Bullock pair – 1, WJ Jack and Son, Woodend, Muir of Ord, 231.0p; 2, J and J Henderson, 215.0p.

Junior bullock – 1, JM Munro and Son, Invercharron, Ardgay, 260.0p; 2, WG Laing, Gaich Farm, Grantown on Spey, 240.0p.

Haltered bullock – 1, J Mackenzie and Co, Wester Craiglands, Fortrose, 225.0p.

Haltered Aberdeen-Angus – 1, WA Fettes, 240.0p; 2, MacIver Partners, Easter Strath of Auchterflow, Killen, 210.0p.

Best from regular consignor – J and J Henderson, Udale Farm, Poyntzfield,

Lambs – Pens of three – Chevs – 1, R MacKenzie , Wester Muckernich, Tore, £74; 2, J Matheson, 91/92 Achviach, Dornoch, £82. BF – 1, K and J Matheson, Milton Farm, Aberarder, £80; 2, WR McIntyre and Co, Tulloch Farm, Dingwall, £74. Suff – 1, Conon Brae Farms and reserve; 2, Muirton Mains Farmers, Urray, £86. Tex – 1, DA Budge, Brae Edge Farm, Castletown, £84; 2, R Mackenzie, Wester Muckernich, Tore, £80. Belt – 1, J Mackenzie and Sons, Lower Geanies, Fearn, £100; 2, Conon Brae Farms, Torgorm, Conon Bridge, £84.